Point Place couple win cash code prize

Mary Ann Simon's net worth grew by $50,000 in an instant Thursday night, but the Point Place resident was out of town and missed being there to hear the good news. Her husband, Joe, however, was in the food court at Westfield Franklin Park to take home the $50,000 grand prize in Buckeye CableSystem's Cash Code Investigation Sweepstakes.

Her husband, Joe, however, was in the food court at Westfield Franklin Park to take home the $50,000 grand prize in Buckeye CableSystem's Cash Code Investigation Sweepstakes.

Mr. Simon, 81, was cool and collected as his name was drawn from a field of 11 finalists. He said he thought he and his wife would use the money to take a cruise on the Danube River. The couple had this same European trip scheduled in 2001, but canceled it after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"I think we'll reschedule," he said.

A former grain farmer and tomato broker, he added that the windfall "will make retirement a little easier."

Winning the grand prize, he said, did not come as a shock.

"I've had this positive feeling for four days. I've been telling myself that I'm going to win this for Mary Ann," he explained.

His wife was visiting her daughter in Fort Myers, Fla., when the prize was announced yesterday.

The 10 other finalists went home winners too.

Each was awarded a free one-year subscription to Buckeye's VIP Digital Ultra Elite Premium Extra Bundle, which consists of digital cable television service, high speed Internet access, telephone service, and home delivery of The Blade. They also won a free DVR rental for a year and a $100 gift card.

The retail value of all these prizes is $2,500.

The Blade and Buckeye are owned by the same parent company, Block Communications Inc.

Charley Linden, Buckeye's creative producer, said the promotion was open to anyone living in the service area of The Blade or Buckeye.

The contest received more than 250,000 entries, he said.

Contestants were required to look in The Blade during the promotion period and locate a cash code logo advertisement.